After successfully quitting smoking, smokers with schizophrenia are vulnerable to relapse shortly after discontinuation of treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a 12-month relapse prevention intervention in recently abstinent smokers with schizophrenia. Subjects participated in a 12-week smoking cessation phase, where they received nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion SR 150mg bid, and cognitive behavioral therapy. If, at the end of the 12 weeks, they were able to demonstrate 1 week of abstinence, they continued in the relapse prevention phase of the study, where they continued to receive nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion SR 150mg bid, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Reported smoking 10 or more cigarettes per day for at least the prior year

Expressed a desire to quit smoking and a willingness to set a smoking cessation date within 4 weeks of enrollment

Were psychiatrically stable on a fixed dose of an antipsychotic for the past 30 days or more

Reported no active substance use disorder other than nicotine or caffeine within 6 months of enrollment

Exclusion Criteria:

Participants with neurologic risk factors for bupropion treatment were excluded from receiving bupropion but were eligible to participate and receive short- and long-acting NRT and CBT only.

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01576640

Locations

United States, Massachusetts

Schizophrenia Program of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Freedom Trail Clinic, 25 Staniford Street